A couple of Atlantic Yards echoes in Cuomo's State of the State address

From Governor Andrew Cuomo's State of the State Address today, via the press release:

Master Plan for the Jacob Javits Site: With plans for a new convention center in New York City, the Governor called for a master plan for the Jacob Javits site to create a mixed use facility and revitalize New York City's West Side with 18 acres of planned development. The plan would follow the successful Battery Park City model and involve more than $2 billion in estimated private sector development funds to create a new 21st century neighborhood on the West Side.

Note that Atlantic Yards did not follow the "successful Battery Park City model," which involved multiple developers and open space first.

Also:

Implement Campaign Finance Reform: Governor Cuomo called for comprehensive reform of the state's campaign finance system to make sure that all New Yorkers have an equal voice in the political process. New York ranks 48th in the nation in voter turnout and a smaller percentage of New York residents contribute to candidates to state office than anywhere else in the nation. The Governor called for a better campaign finance system that system that includes matched contributions and lower contribution limits, and increase enforcement at the Board of Elections.

Cuomo of course has benefited from this system, but better late than never. Developers like Bruce Ratner and his company can wield outsize influence under the current system.